"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."--Coco Chanel
Gabrielle "Coco" Bonheur Chanel
The Early Days
Gabrielle "Coco" Bonheur Chanel was born in 1883 in Saumur, but actually said she was born in 1893 in Auvergne. This may very well be because she wanted to appear as if she was ten years younger...any girls' dream! Chanel was not born into a wealthy, prominent family, but rather born to a mother who worked in a poorhouse. Unfortunately, Chanel's mother died when she was six, and her father was left to take care of their five children.
Chanel had a few love interests of her own: a wealthy military officer and the other, an English industrialist. She used both of these men to aid her financially and help her socially to start her first millinery (hat) shop in 1910. Chanel was a success and created two other shops in Deauville and Biarritz. Her simple yet elegant hats were very popular! "The Roaring 20's"
Coco Chanel's designs took off and she started to create designs other than hats. Jersey, a material rarely used in French couture, was used in her work. Jersey was actually known in the "men's world" for underwear. But, Chanel did not care obviously making it a huge success with chemises and the "boy look" consisting of casual, relaxed garments and short skirts. This opposed the look of the uncomfortable corsets that women could not move around in. Her point was to "liberate" women and her point obviously came across as successful.
In 1922, Chanel launched her ever-popular perfume, Chanel No. 5.
Chanel No.5
This perfume was a huge success for her career. She did not come up with the idea herself, but with Pierre Wertheimer, who could also be considered one of her lovers. The Wertheimer family still runs the perfume aspect of the Chanel empire.
Little Black Dress
During the mid-1920's, Chanel introduced her signature cardigan and then a year later (1926) established her idea of the little black dress, commonly abbreviated "LBD." These dresses were simple yet chic, were made to fit every woman, and never showed stains. Chanel did not want these women who bought her designs to feel unattractive, but sexy in a casual, not overdressed, way. The importance of all her products were quality and mobility. Vogue even called it the "Ford" of fashion-it was widely available and came in all colors as long as it's black. Women flocked into stores to buy them, and for this reason, Coco Chanel made herself a key player in the 20th century (and 21st) fashion world.
World Wars I and II
Chanel's busines came to a halt during the first World War, as she served as nurse for a little while, and then again during World War II because of Nazi Occupation in Paris. Coco Chanel actually had an affair with a Nazi officer during this time which sent her powerful status and popularity into decline eventually sending her into exile in Switzerland for more than decade. There, she watched as Christian Dior, a rival, came out with the "New Look," with "bon bon looking women." This push by Dior made Chanel come back full force w
Rival Dior's "New Look"
ith extravagant designs.
The Comeback
In 1954, at 70 years old, Chanel presented a new collection. The European press did not like it. They called it simply a "fiasco" and "melancholic"because it was somewhat like the twenties. Little did they know that Chanel was completely ahead of her time. The sixties were up and coming which used themes from the twenties. Her clothes were
Chanel Quilted Purse, 1954
not a representation of something of the past, but the future. However, it were the Americans who were on "Team Chanel" as one might say these days. They endorsed her designs which made her comeback in the fashion world: quilted bags with chain straps, slingbacks, brooches, suits, jewelry. She came back with kick, and in fact, many companies and other people were copying her designs.
Today
Coco Chanel died in 1971, but she was not forgotten. Her legacy is carried on today by the great Karl Lagerfeld who remains true to what Chanel had envisioned for her company. Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel was on the greatest fashion innovators ever to have existed, and we remember her for all that she has given to fashion. If it wasn't for her then we wouldn't have our little black dresses!
Gabrielle "Coco" Bonheur Chanel was born in 1883 in Saumur, but actually said she was born in 1893 in Auvergne. This may very well be because she wanted to appear as if she was ten years younger...any girls' dream! Chanel was not born into a wealthy, prominent family, but rather born to a mother who worked in a poorhouse. Unfortunately, Chanel's mother died when she was six, and her father was left to take care of their five children.
Chanel had a few love interests of her own: a wealthy military officer and the other, an English industrialist. She used both of these men to aid her financially and help her socially to start her first millinery (hat) shop in 1910. Chanel was a success and created two other shops in Deauville and Biarritz. Her simple yet elegant hats were very popular!
"The Roaring 20's"
Coco Chanel's designs took off and she started to create designs other than hats. Jersey, a material rarely used in French couture, was used in her work. Jersey was actually known in the "men's world" for underwear. But, Chanel did not care obviously making it a huge success with chemises and the "boy look" consisting of casual, relaxed garments and short skirts. This opposed the look of the uncomfortable corsets that women could not move around in. Her point was to "liberate" women and her point obviously came across as successful.
In 1922, Chanel launched her ever-popular perfume, Chanel No. 5.
World Wars I and II
Chanel's busines came to a halt during the first World War, as she served as nurse for a little while, and then again during World War II because of Nazi Occupation in Paris. Coco Chanel actually had an affair with a Nazi officer during this time which sent her powerful status and popularity into decline eventually sending her into exile in Switzerland for more than decade. There, she watched as Christian Dior, a rival, came out with the "New Look," with "bon bon looking women." This push by Dior made Chanel come back full force w
The Comeback
In 1954, at 70 years old, Chanel presented a new collection. The European press did not like it. They called it simply a "fiasco" and "melancholic"because it was somewhat like the twenties. Little did they know that Chanel was completely ahead of her time. The sixties were up and coming which used themes from the twenties. Her clothes were
Today
Coco Chanel died in 1971, but she was not forgotten. Her legacy is carried on today by the great Karl Lagerfeld who remains true to what Chanel had envisioned for her company. Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel was on the greatest fashion innovators ever to have existed, and we remember her for all that she has given to fashion. If it wasn't for her then we wouldn't have our little black dresses!
"May my legend prosper and thrive, I wish it a long and happy life."--Coco Chanel
Click Here to View Some of Coco Chanel's Fashions
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Sources:
http://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/hd/chnl/hdchnl.htm
http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_chanel_coco.htm
http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/gabriellechanel.html
http://www.hausarbeiten.de/faecher/hausarbeit/enh/15999.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4630900</span>